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Mar 19, 2011, 2:10 PM

Post #1 of 17 (2523 views)

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Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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Have been told by a Mexican friend that two or three years ago, Mexico outlawed any vehicle not produced in North America and that no vehicle is grandfathered in. I am in custoday of a 1988 BMW, brought into Mexico in 1999 and awaiting paperwork from the owner to allow me to sell it on her behalf. My Mexican friend is the buyer. The price has dropped from 25,000 pesos to 5,000 pesos due to it now being illegal in Mexico and can be confiscated and destroyed by the Mexican government, as it is now illegal in this country.

I have only his word. He said he talked to a friend in Aduana, who gave him this info.

My question is, has anyone else heard of this? And can you send me to a source to confirm what my friend has said to me? Cannot tell you the number of folks that I have talked, too, including my attorneys and no one has heard of this. Thanks, T.

mazbook1

Mar 19, 2011, 3:09 PM

Post #2 of 17 (2509 views)

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Re: [T] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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T, you're missing the point. Two things come into play here:

First is that if the vehicle was brought into México on a temporary importation permit (sticker) with foreign plates and title, it is definitely illegal to sell it in México regardless of the country of origin or your "permission to sell" paper from the owner. ANY vehicle with this status MUST be removed from México (which you as the owner's agent can legally do). That has ALWAYS been the law.

Second is that vehicles not originating in either Canada or the U.S. (the other two NAFTA countries) or México and therefore NOT having a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) beginning with the digit 1, 4, 2 or 3 (these identify the country of production as one of the NAFTA countries) cannot be "nationalized" – permanently imported with Mexican papers – at all.

There may also be a third item, but I only have it secondhand. This is that under the new regulations (the second item), a vehicle over 20-years-old (which would apply to any 1988 model vehicle) can NOT be nationalized regardless of the country of origin. BUT, as I said, this is secondhand information, and I cannot guarantee its accuracy.

(This post was edited by mazbook1 on Mar 19, 2011, 3:10 PM)

Marlene

Mar 19, 2011, 7:46 PM

Post #3 of 17 (2445 views)

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Re: [T] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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Yes, it's true. If the vehicle was manufactured outside North America, it cannot be nationalized (legally). I've been down this road myself, so I am speaking from personal experience.

morgaine7

Mar 19, 2011, 8:30 PM

Post #4 of 17 (2427 views)

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Re: [T] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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Where is it registered? If not in Mexico, it's almost surely a "temporary import" that can't be nationalized. That's probably the first question the Aduana agent asked your friend, so I'm suspecting this is the case.

If it's registered with Mexican plates and all the appropriate paperwork (factura, pedimento de importación) then it should be okay. I'm driving a Mexican-plated 1987 vehicle, VIN beginning with "J", that was imported in 1997. I bought it in 2007 and have just renewed its registration for the fourth time. No problem whatsoever.

Kate

dongringo_catemaco

Mar 19, 2011, 8:33 PM

Post #5 of 17 (2426 views)

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Re: [T] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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If it were a dead duck from 1859, a Mexican importer could probably arrange the paper work at the border. Legally there is no way to bypass customs restrictions , which does not preclude a savvy agent from officially registering any year vehicle in Mexico. You and your car really need to be at the border to consumate a Mexican relatiionship. I hate to say Mexicans do so all of the time. But they do.
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Rolly

Mar 19, 2011, 8:47 PM

Post #6 of 17 (2419 views)

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Re: [morgaine7] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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The are lots of Mexican-plated vehicles with a "J" VIN from Japan. There is a difference between an automobile dealer importing from Japan and a private citizen "nationalizing" a car with a "J" VIN. The first is allowed, the other is not... except as Dongringo suggests.

Rolly Pirate

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Mar 20, 2011, 2:07 PM

Post #7 of 17 (2318 views)

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Re: [mazbook1] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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Thank you. Clearly, the vehicle is over 20 years old, not manufactured in a NAFTA country, was brought in many years ago by the owner on a now long expired FM3, and is now illegally in this country, no matter how you look at it. There is no way this CA plated vehicle is going to get up to the border. There is no concern about the owner bringing another car into Mexico, as she is in assisted living in CA. I guess my real question is, what the hell do I do with it? Should I take my Mexican friend's offer of 5,000 pesos or just take the damn thing to a dumpster. My concern is that even if I do sell the vehicle to my friend, it will still be in the original owner's name, unless we take it back to the border. The owner is long gone and never to return to Mexico, but the vehicle will remain in her name and if my friend gets into an injury accident, they can go after her properties here in Mexico. Thank you for your help. T

Mar 20, 2011, 2:12 PM

Post #8 of 17 (2315 views)

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Re: [Marlene] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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This just boggles the mind. A vehicle that was legally allowed into Mexico in 1999, has not been grandfathered in to the new law and must now leave Mexico or be confiscated and destroyed. Funny, two weeks ago saw a gorgeous new Beemer convertible here with Jalisco plates. Any thoughts on that? T.

Rolly

Mar 20, 2011, 2:16 PM

Post #9 of 17 (2309 views)

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Re: [T] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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Go back and read my previous post. Dealers can import cars that ordinary folks can't.

Rolly Pirate

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On Facebook as Rolly Brook

Marlene

Mar 20, 2011, 2:25 PM

Post #10 of 17 (2303 views)

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Re: [T] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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It's not a new law. When the vehicle entered Mexico it was permitted to do so on a temporary import permit. The person importing it agreed to remove it from Mexico. Additionally, cars manufactured overseas and temporarily imported by foreigner travelers, have very little hope of ever becoming permanent in Mexico (legally).

(This post was edited by Marlene on Mar 20, 2011, 2:30 PM)

Mar 20, 2011, 2:37 PM

Post #11 of 17 (2295 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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I do get it. Just want to know what you guys think I should do with this illegal vehicle? right now, I am thinking 5,000 pesos from my friend is a good idea. Or should I sell it for parts, so that the vehic;le cannot be identified or should I have it totalled? T.

Mar 20, 2011, 2:41 PM

Post #12 of 17 (2294 views)

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Re: [Marlene] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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Succinct, precise, and and answered all of my questions. Think I am in love. Thank you, Marlene. T

salto_jorge

Mar 20, 2011, 8:44 PM

Post #13 of 17 (2229 views)

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Re: [T] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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I seem to recall in the 70's and 80's it was not a big deal if one left a vehicle in mexico and only relatives used it. The national/relatives usually went to the local mayor and received a strange looking plate and drove it around locally with problems. The main issue back then was that you could not sell it. I seem to recall that an american could give it to an american but the plates and title had to remain in the original americans name and it had to be insured by the driver. An american could not sell it to a mexican and a mexican could not sell a car to an american. As always mexican car dealers had their own rules and rules on trade-ins involving americans and their cars.

Even under the old rules, if your friend is mexican and you are not and they are not a relative, your friend cannot have or use your car. If your friend is an american you could leave it with them like the other person did with you, make sure that it has insurance. Selling a car with a temporary permit was always against the law (maybe not for nationals) .

Laws change all the time as well as the enforcement or lack of.

I have been told that in some mainland areas importation papers are not required but insurance is (not verified).
I have also been told that one can enter mexico and travel hundreds of miles from the border without paperwork (not verified) but then again its always best to be legal.

(This post was edited by salto_jorge on Mar 20, 2011, 8:45 PM)

RickS

Mar 21, 2011, 10:50 AM

Post #14 of 17 (2176 views)

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Re: [T] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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T, I have sent you a private message......

Mar 21, 2011, 12:39 PM

Post #15 of 17 (2149 views)

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Re: [salto_jorge] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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Thank you for your response. My friend has dual Mexican and US citizenship. He has sheltered the vehicle for over one year. It is currently not driveable, as I found out that he has taken some parts out and ordered new parts from Ohio, of all places. T

Mar 21, 2011, 12:54 PM

Post #16 of 17 (2144 views)

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Re: [RickS] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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Hi Rick,

Got your message, just not sure how to respond. I am currently waiting for the title, signed by the owner's son, along with a copy of his power of attorney. My Mexican-American friend, who has stored and washed, etc this vehicle for over one year on his property at no cost, has offered 5,000 pesos. That is his top price. The owner wants more. The vehicle is , I think as you describe. It is a convertible and it has, I think around 100,000 miles on it. Found out from the owner's attorney, who is now my attorney that several years ago it was involved in a serious accident and was hosptialized in GDL for 18 months before it could be repaired due to parts issues. Guess that is why it looks so good. The owner's FM3 expired over two years ago. Just another reason that this vehicle is illegal in Mexico. Yes, it does have the last import sticker on the windshield, but I have no paperwork at all. Everything went to CA two years ago when she left for health reasons. She is no longer capable of decision making, hence the son having full power of attorney. He does not speak Spanish and has no idea what he is looking for, although he tries to be very helpful. I know. What a mess.

T.

Sculptari

Mar 24, 2011, 9:57 AM

Post #17 of 17 (2021 views)

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Re: [T] Outlawed vehicles in Mexico

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Anything is possible. Can you tell me if a star footballer from Mexico City wants to import a 1972 Ferrari Dino that it ain't gonna happen? It's all about who you know, who you hire to complete the process, and how much its going to cost. Finding a specialized auto broker near the U.S. border would a good bet. Going there, and actually meeting them to establish trust and confidence in each other. No one is going to respond to emails or phone calls.